Knowledge of Common Sexually Transmitted Infections Among In-School Adolescents in Nsukka Local Government Area Enugu State

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate knowledge of common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among in-school adolescents in Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA), Enugu State. Three specific objectives with corresponding research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used for the study. The study population comprised of 15,479 in-school adolescents in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State. The sample for the study was 300 in-school adolescents drawn using a two stage sampling procedure. The instrument for data collection was a 24-item researchers’ designed questionnaire titled “knowledge of common sexually transmitted infections among in-school adolescents questionnaire (KCSTIAQ)”. The research questions were answered using frequency and percentages, while the null hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistics. The result of the study showed that: (50.1%) per cent of the respondents had moderate level of common STIs. in-school adolescents aged 17-20 years (61.8%) and those aged  ≥ 21 years (65.7%) had high knowledge of common STIs while those aged 12-16 years (49.5%) had moderate level of knowledge of common STIs. In-school adolescent males and females (54.4%vs46.9%) had moderate level of knowledge of common STIs. Age and gender had significant influence in the knowledge of common STIs among in-school adolescents. Based on the findings, the authors recommended among others, that parents should give their children proper sex education, informing them of the dangers of pre-marital sex, infidelity after marriage and encourage questions concerning sex and providing the right and realistic answers